Portable deck



Sept. 22, 1942. c. o. EMERSON PORTABLE DECK Filed July 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l p 1942- c. o. EMERSON PORTABLE DECK Filed July 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 22, 1942 PORTABLE DECK Charles 0. Emerson, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation, Pittsburgh. Pa., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 29, 1940, Serial No. 348,301

8 Claims.

This invention relates to portable decks, and more particularly to those which provide paved areas for vehicular traflic, airplane runways, flooring for the storage and handling of materials, etc.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a portable deck which may be easily fabricated from metallic plates and made to comprise simple integral interlocking devices which enable the rapid erection and dismantling of the deck.

Another object is the provision of a device of the class described which eliminates the necessity of skilled labor or tools in the erection and dismantling of the deck.

Other objects will be apparent after referring to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of one of the plates of the portable deck of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan of the plate of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevation partly in section of the details of a form of interlocking device;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line IV-IV of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan of a number of plates which have been assembled to form a deck;

Figures 6, '7 and 8 are views similar to Figures 1, 2 and 3 respectively, but disclosing modifications thereof; and

Figure 9 is a sectional view on the line IXIX of Figure 6. v

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral I designates the webs of a series of similar metallic plates which constitute the members of the portable deck of the present invention.

As shown more clearly in Figure 1, in each of the metallic plates the web I is deformed out of its general plane to define a pair of spaced parallel continuous longitudinal inverted troughs 2, one of which is at approximately the center line of the plate while the other is adjacent one of the longitudinal edges thereof. The outer of the inverted troughs 2 carries at suitable intervals along its outer edge a series of hooks 4 for a purpose which will later be described. Across the metallic plates there extends a transverse groove 5. The other longitudinal edge of the plate I is provided with a curved portion 6, a reversely curved portion 1, and a short, straight portion 8 at the extremity thereof. Between the bent portion 6 and the middle of the metallic plate there is provided at intervals corresponding to those of the hooks 4 a series of slots 9.

Referring to Figures 2 and '7 of the drawings, the lengths of the slots 9 are substantially the same as the distances between them, whereby there results in the unslotted portions of the plate cross-section areas which are substantially the same as those of the said slots. In addition, the cross-sectional areas of the hooks 4 are substantially the same as the cross-sectional areas of the slots. Such construction provides balanced strength.

In assembling the component parts of the portable deck of the present invention, the series of metallic plates I, being made up of a single length of desired width, are laid end to end and the second or succeeding rows are interlocked with the preceding row. This .is accomplished by means of the hooks 4 of one row extending through the slots 9 in the plates of the next adjacent row. In accomplishing this mode of interlocking, each plate to be attached to its counterpart of the next preceding row is held in approximately 90 degree relationship, and moved in such manner that the hooks 4 will be inserted into and progress through the slots 9, whereupon the plate is moved downwardly into the position shown in Figure 3. Thus, there is provided great rigidity and resistance against pull-out, as the interlocks are positive and prevent lateral movement in any direction. Due to the extreme simplicity of the interlocking elements, the assembly and dismantling of the metallic plates may be accomplished with unskilled labor and entirely without the use of tools.

Preferably a staggered relationship is carried out at; the end joints by means of having a proper number of half-length units in each complete set of units.

Referring more particularly to Figure 6, I have illustrated a modification which for a great many purposes is considered superior to the one described hereinbefore. Referring to this modi- *'fication, there is provided a number of metallic plates ll having longitudinally extending continuous parallel troughs l3 which are made by deforming the metal of the web out of the general plane thereof. This deformation in the present instance is accomplished downwardly, whereby the upper surface of the plate is substantially planar. These troughs [3 provide for increased lateral stiffness. In addition, the plates II are provided with one or more transverse grooves l4 which extend from edge to edge.

It will be noted that the grooves I3 are substantially equidistant from the center of the plate II, and that in one of the side edges of the said plate there is provided at suitable intervals 8. downwardly curved portion l5 carrying thereon a curved hook-like member H. The other edge of the metallic plate I I is provided with a downwardly curved portion IS, a reversely curved portion 2|, and a continuous substantially straight portion 23 which, at suitable intervals and in alignment with the hooks H, are provided with complementary slots 25.

It will be noted that the are defined by the hook I! occupies substantially the same plane as the bottoms of the deformed portions which provide for the troughs 13, while the substantially straight portion 23 on the other edge of the plate is substantially midway between a plane across the upper surface of the plate and the said aforementioned plane. In assembling the metallic plates II, the same procedure is followed as in connection with the embodiment first mentioned. However, when using the metallic plate H, the hook I! and slots 25 are so arranged as to provide for a greater angle before release of interlock can be obtained and suflicient flexibility to enable the rotation of a unit below the general plane defined between the outer faces of the webs of the plates.

While I have shown and described several embodiments of the present invention, it will be seen that I do not wish to be limited exactly thereto, since various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A plurality of metallic plates adapted for rapid attachment and detachment to form a substantially horizontal portable deck capable of sustainingsuperposed loads, a group of said plates having a series of aligned spaced openings inwardly of an edge thereof, another group of said plates being provided along a margin thereof with a series of aligned spaced laterallyextending lugs which are deformed downwardly and then upwardly to provide hook members, said hook members being adapted to align with and extend through the openings of the firstnamed group of plates when said second-named group of plates is in marginal overlapping relationship therewith said hook members being adapted to extend below the bottoms of said firstnamed group of plates with the uppermost edges of the terminal portions in contact therewith at positions inwardl of the openings therein.

2. A plurality of metallic plates adapted for rapid attachment and detachment to form a substantially horizontal portable deck capable of sustaining superposed loads, a group of said plates having a series of aligned spaced elongated openings inwardly of an edge thereof, another group of said plates being provided along a margin thereof with a series of aligned spaced laterally-extending lugs which are deformed downwardly and then upwardly to provide hook members, said hook members being adapted to align with and extend through the elongated openings of the first-named group of plates when said second-named group of plates is in marginal overlapping relationship therewith, said hook members being approximately as wide as the length of the elongated openings through which they are adapted to extend, said hook members being adapted to extend below the bottoms of said first-named group of plates with the uppermost edges of their terminal portions in contact therewith at positions inwardly of the openings therein.

3. A plurality of metallic plates adapted for rapid attachment and detachment to form a substantially horizontal portable deck capable of sustaining superposed loads, a group of said plates having a series of aligned spaced openings inwardly of an edge thereof, anotherv group of said plates being provided along a margin thereof with a series of aligned spaced laterally-ex tending lugs which are deformed downwardly and then upwardly to provide hook members, said hook members being adapted to align with and extend through the openings of the first-named group of plates when said second-named group of plates is in marginal overlapping relation ship therewith, said hook members being adapted to extend below the bottoms of said first-named group of plates with the uppermost edges of the terminal portions in contact therewith at positions inwardly of the openings therein, said firstnamed group of plates being adapted for attachment to said second-named group of plates by inserting the said hook members in the said openings and partially rotating the said firstnamed group of plates.

4. A plurality of metallic plates adapted'for rapid attachment and detachment to form a substantially horizontal portable deck capable of sustaining superposed loads, a group of said plates having a series of aligned spaced elongated openings inwardly of an edge thereof, another group of said plates being provided along a margin thereof with a series of aligned spaced laterally-extending lugs which are deformed downwardly and then upwardly to provide hook members, said hook members being adapted to align with and extend through the elongated openings of the first-named group of plates when said second-named group of plates is in marginal overlapping relationship therewith, said hook members being approximately as wide as the length of the elongated openings through which they are adapted to extend, said hook members being adapted to extend below the bottoms of said first-named group of plates with the uppermost edges of their terminal portions in contact therewith at positions inwardly of the openings therein, said first-named group of plates being adapted for attachment to said second-named group of plates by inserting the said hook members in the said elongated openings and partially rotating the said first-named group of plates. a

5. A plurality of metallic plates adapted for rapid attachment and detachment to form a substantially horizontal portable deck capable of sustaining superposed loads, a group of said plates having a series of aligned spaced openings inwardly of an edge thereof, another group of said plates being provided along a margin thereof with a series of aligned spaced laterallyextending lugs which are deformed downwardly and then upwardly to provide hook members, said hook members being adapted to align with and extend through the openings of the firstnamed group of plates, when said second-named group of plates is in marginal overlapping relationship therewith, said hook members being adapted to extend below the bottoms of said first-named group of plates with the uppermost edges of the terminal portions in contact therewith at positions inwardly of the openings therein, the cross-sectional areas of the hook members being substantially the same as the crosssectional areas of the said openings and the unslotted portions of the first-named group of plates at positions between said openings.

6. A plurality of metallic plates adapted for rapid attachment and detachment to form a substantially horizontal portable deck capable of sustaining superposed loads, a group of said plates having a series of aligned spaced elongated openings inwardly of an edge thereof, another group of said plates being provided along a margin thereof with a series of aligned spaced laterally-extending lugs which are deformed downwardly and then upwardly to provide hook members, said hook members being adapted to align with and extend through the elongated openings of the first-named group of plates when said second-named group of plates is in marginal-overlapping relationship therewith, said hook members being approximately as wide as the length of the elongated openings through which they are adapted to extend, said hook members being adapted to extend below the bottoms of said first-named group of plates with the uppermost edges of their terminal portions in contact therewith at positions inwardly of the openings therein, the cross-sectional areas of the hook members being substantially the same as the cross-sectional areas of the said openings and the unslotted portions of the firstnamed group of plates at positions between said openings.

7. A plurality of'metallic plates adapted for rapid attachment and detachment to form a substantially horizontal portable deck capable of sustaining superposed loads, a group of said plates having a series of aligned spaced openings inwardly of an edge thereof, another group of said plates being provided along a margin thereof with a series of aligned spaced laterallyextending lugs which are deformed downwardly and then upwardly to provide hook members, said hook members being adapted to align with and extend through the openings of the firstnamed group of plates when said second-named group of plates is in marginal overlapping relationshlp therewith, the said hook members being adapted to extend below the bottoms of said first-named group of plates with the uppermost edges of the terminal portions in contact therewith at positions inwardly of the openings therein, said first-named group of plates being adapted for attachment to said second-named group of plates by inserting the said hook members in the said openings and partially rotating the said first-named group of plates, the cross-sectional areas of the hook members being substantially the same as the cross-sectional areas of the said openings and the unslotted portions of the firstnamed group of plates at positions between said openings.

8. A plurality of metallic plates adapted for rapid attachment and detachment to form a substantially horizontal portable deck capable of sustaining superposed loads, a group of said plates having a series of aligned spaced elongated openings inwardly of an edge thereof, another group of said plates being provided along a margin thereof with a series of aligned spaced laterally-extending lugs which are deformed downwardly and then upwardly to provide hook members, said hook members being adapted to align with and extend through the elongated openings of the first-named group of plates when said second-named group of plates is in mar ginal overlapping relationship therewith, said hook members being approximately as wide as the length of the elongated openings through which they are adapted to extend, said hook members being adapted to extend below the bottoms of said first-named group of plates with the uppermost edges of their terminal portions in contact therewith at positions inwardly of the openings therein, said first-named group of plates being adapted for attachment to said second-named group of plates by inserting the said hook members in the said elongated openings and partially rotating the said first-named group of plates, the cross-sectional areas of the hook members being substantially the same as the cross-sectional areas of the said openings and the unslotted portions of the first-named group of plates at positions between said openings.

CHARLES 0. EMERSON. 

